Flatiron reconstructed a deteriorating, 55-year-old segment of Interstate 85 over the Yadkin River near Salisbury, N.C., about 40 miles north of Charlotte. The congested interstate is the most direct route between Atlanta and Richmond and carries over 80,000 vehicles per day. This project relieves a significant highway bottleneck, bolsters economic development and improves safety.

Flatiron designed and constructed a new dual I-85 bridge using a single temporary work bridge, with minimal disruption to traffic. Flatiron widened approximately three miles of the four-lane I-85 to eight lanes, including the north and south approaches to the bridges. Flatiron was also responsible for the design and construction of storm drainage systems, noise walls and guardrails.

Flatiron built a six-million-pound trestle — nearly a half-mile long — over sensitive wetland areas and an active railroad line. During one phase of construction, crews set 200-foot-long, 10-foot-deep steel girders each day during short, four-hour railroad closure windows.

In addition to the I-85 bridge replacement, the project includes replacing the adjacent US 29/70 bridge spanning the Yadkin River, dual bridges located south of the river over the Duke Power Industrial Spur and dual bridges located north of the river over the North Carolina Railroad. The US 29/70 bridge is approximately 2,000 feet upstream from the Yadkin bridges.